Cilantro Lime Chickpea Salad & Sweat Wicking Workout Wear

May 27, 2011Angela (Oh She Glows)

by Angela (Oh She Glows) on May 27, 2011

Happy Friday! This short work week really flew by. I’m currently working on a vegan recipe assignment for a magazine that’s due this week and will be published in September. I’m excited to share it with you! I’m testing & writing recipes this afternoon so hopefully no disasters/small kitchen fires/flops occur… ;)

You know what I love when things are busy? Quick lunches that can be thrown together in just minutes. When I returned from a hot yoga class yesterday, I wanted something ready in 10 minutes. It was either that, or I was going to scarf a pint of Coconut Bliss. I came across a delicious looking chickpea salad recipe on Heather’s blog and I knew it would be right up my alley.

1. In a food processor, add the spinach and pulse a few times until chopped very small. Add the processed spinach, drained chickpeas, and chopped onion into a large bowl.

2. In the food processor (no need to rinse the bowl!), add the lime juice, cilantro, mustard, sugar, garlic, cumin, and oil. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Pour the dressing on top of the spinach chickpea mixture and stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let stand for about 10 minutes to let the flavours develop (optional- I didn’t!). Serve over a bed of grains, like brown rice. Serves 1-2.

Note: The dressing has quite a bite to it, thanks to the lime and oil that I cut down, so please feel free to adjust the dressing to your taste buds preference! You may want more oil, less lime, etc.

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Some changes I made:

cut down the oil by over half

increased the Cilantro

added some cumin spice

reduced sugar

slightly reduced lime

It was enjoyed over a bed of leftover brown rice…a great combo! I also doubled the recipe I posted above because Eric was home for lunch too.

The dressing has quite a bite to it, thanks to the lime and lack of oil, so please feel free to adjust the dressing to your taste buds liking. We thought it was quite refreshing and I love that it packs in spinach greens too.

If you aren’t a Cilantro fan, you could always experiment with other herbs (parsley could be fun!), but I must say the Cilantro-lime combo is a dream to my taste buds. Thanks Heather for a great recipe!

The Great Sweat-Wicking Workout Wear Debate

Lately, the workout tanks that I’ve been wearing to Hot Yoga have left me feeling like a wet sponge!

They just aren’t working for me and by the end of class my shirt is a sopping puddle of sweat sticking to my skin (great visual, I know). This prompted me to ask on Twitter what your favourite sweat-wicking workout tops are.

I have to agree with about the cilantro + lime combo… Though the added cumin also marries beautifully with cilantro and lime, I find! I love cilantro and chickpeas – so this dish is right up my alley. Thanks, I know what I’m having tomorrow, for sure! :D Also a great way to sneak in some spinach – I’m guessing it’s not very noticeable, because of the strong flavours from lime and cilantro? My mother hates spinach… Maybe I will make this for both of us to squeeze some more greens into her day, haha.

For sweat wicking… I have to say, I love anything made by Nike for that purpose! Though I’ve never tried Lululemon, I’ve heard many great things about its sweat-wicking tops… so I imagine that anything you buy from there will work well. Best of luck finding what you’re looking for!

Yum! I’m making the Cliantro Lime Chickpea Salad for lunch today. Anything requiring zero cooking is perfect for hot southern days. This is my first recipe I’m trying out from your blog… and I have several more planned for the week. SO excited!!!

I mentioned Prana to you before in regards to a mat and I’m going to say it again. Prana! They have a beautiful clothing line and you can order online.

The other company is Under Armour. I haven’t tried them out personally, but my stepson loves their stuff. He wears their tanks under his hockey gear and that is all that we hear about. Apparently they keep him dry while he’s on the ice, which is very important. They have a website filled with info (http://www.underarmour.com/shop/ca). I’m so glad that you’re really enjoying yoga!

Hi highly recommended doing hot yoga in your sports bra, no need for a shirt. The less wet clothes to deal with, the better. I love the super inexpensive champion sports bras Target sells. They make them with thin straps and tons of fun colors. I believe its called the seamless cami bra.

Hi Angela,
I was the gal who requested you share the hot yoga apparel recommendations via Twitter — thank you for posting them here! I am loving hot yoga!
Also, can’t wait to try this recipe this weekend.
Jill

That salad looks yum! We have tons of oregano in our garden, so I may try to recreate this using oregano instead. [It’ll be a while before I can harvest our little cilantro plants.]

As for workout clothes, I like to buy stuff at Target [as long as it contains no cotton], and I have some Patagonia tops I’ve bought on sale and at outlets over the years. The quality of Patagonia is excellent.

I’d be interested to see how much a difference a sweat-wicking top makes in hot yoga. I always look like I’ve jumped into a pool after hot yoga, so I don’t know if anything would help me. Keep us updated though!

I love the 1st pic of the salad, especially, it looks sooo pretty. SUBMIT! But it’s a vertical shot and if you’re like me, you wont be able to get it to fit properly in the crop boxes and the composition gets thrown off and it won’t work. <—story of my life with vert shots. lol

If you have tips other than just lopping off one "end", lmk! TS is easier than FG in that regard if your composition allows it.

but i digress.

Workout wear that wicks sweat. You know, I have come to realize that I am going to sweat and it's just going to be on me. Like down here in Aruba, it's 90F and humid and I pour out sweat, it gets all over me and my clothes, and then I shower and call it a day. I have tried all the fancy things, make no real diff for me personally, so I buy target sports bras and cheapie stuff and call it a day :) But would love a true solution, of course. Just dont hold out much hope. lol

I picked up a couple of the Target tanks and they are awesome. They’re loose fitting which I prefer becouse I don’t like fabric too tight on my tummy (makes me feel self-conscious). They were on sale for $7.50, too! Can’t beat that when you compare the prices of Nike and Lulu!

I’ve been told that in hot yoga you don’t want to wipe/wick your sweat away because it is acting to cool down your body, so maybe it’s a good thing to be covered in sweat! I know I’m always dripping no matter what I’m wearing :)

Great recipe Ange! I’m not sure it’s possible to do a hot yoga class and NOT come out soaking wet, but I usually wear my Lululemon Cook Racerbacks because they’re breathable. Also, they’re longer than a lot of other workout tops so when I put my arms up in yoga classes, I don’t have to worry about the shirt riding up too!

Honestly, sweat wicking material isn’t going to help much in a hot class. The sweat can’t evaporate in a heated room; it has nowhere to go. Whatever material you’re wearing will soak up sweat and get heavier, and when the material is saturated it won’t be able to wick away anymore sweat. So I suggest you wear as little as possible with the lightest fabric possible and try the bras, tanks, and shorts made by lululemon especially for hot yoga.

Honestly, sweat wicking material isn’t going to help much in a hot class. The sweat can’t evaporate in a heated room; it has nowhere to go. Whatever material you’re wearing will soak up sweat and get heavier, and when the material is saturated it won’t be able to wick away any more sweat. So I suggest you wear as little as possible with the lightest fabric possible and try the bras, tanks, and shorts made by lululemon especially for hot yoga.

I recently found that Under Armor makes ribbed tank tops that are great! They are made of a stretch non-cotton material that doesn’t stick to my sweaty skin or stretch out. I liked the first one so much I bought two more, and they come in really bright, fun, summery colors!

I totally recommend the Power Y tank; I’ve been practicing Moksha for six years and it is by far my favorite top! A couple of points from my perspective ;),
– I like racer backs, if the straps are across my shoulders as per normal tank tops I find I “feel” my clothing.
– The Scoop neck Lulu top is a GREAT design, I love it – but it’s thicker than the Power Y, so not the most ideal for Moksha, although I do own two of them and love love love love them (so flattering on the body) for non-heated Hatha practices.

you MUST try the circle mesh tops for Lululemon, it’s all I wear to Hot Yoga now. I too am a Moksha fan- but here in Vancouver! Lululemon has some pretty great hot shots/ top combo’s too…wick wick wick away that sweat!

I’ve got a Lululemon tank that’s similar to their current Run:Mind Over Matter Sleeveless Tech and with the elastic on the bottom I find that with a sports bra is great for yoga since it doesn’t stick to my skin and is very breathable.

I also have the Lululemon Commit tank which they don’t seem to make anymore which was also made with their Silverescent material and it’s great.

My one beef with Lululemon is that they change their styles so often, if you find something you like grab it fast.

For Hot Yoga, I can’t do a tank at all – I have to do the “bra-like” ones or I just get too sweaty and hot! I like the Lulu bras the best, but my studio also sells a good brand, I just can’t remember the name right now!

OMG I can just imagine the lime, cilantro and cumin in a tasty explosion! I’ll have to try this one. Wonder if we have chickpea growing in Ontario?? I always default to Eden beans, they have the plumpest chickpeas. yumyum!

My favorite workout wear is the nike pro line. The material is looser fitting so its not hugging your skin and you don’t feel super sweaty, yet its still slim fitting and able to give you a feminine look. Plus the material is quick drying and you won’t feel sweaty for long after.

Hey Ange! I work at lululemon, so glad to see a couple lululemon items on your list. :) The only thing I’d add/ suggest, based on my own practice in bikram yoga (105 degree F heat) would be the Cool Racerback tank and the Push Ur Limits Tank. The Push Ur Limits in particular is my favorite for hot yoga. If you’re comfortable not rocking a tank though, by all means – go with short shorts and a sports bra!

My favorite workout gear is bamboo athletic wear clothing. It is amazing how great bamboo is on the skin! Luckily for me one of my sisters has an athletic wear clothing line (rawthreads.org) made from bamboo so I get to have fun shopping whenever I visit her. I do like lululemon clothing as well.

I was JUST thinking about how I have a bunch of cilantro and a lime hanging around in my fridge from when I made salsa last week that need a home!! As for hot yoga clothes.. lululemon is by far the best, in my opinion. They have some amazing tanks that have low support which is great for yoga. I hate feeling too constricted! Good luck!

LADIES! I was just at Gap Body and (well, at least here in the States, hopefully Canada too) most everything in the store is 40 percent off through the weekend. I got a pair of wicking-material shorts for $16! I plan on wearing them to hot yoga tomorrow and can let you know how they do :)

I just wish their colors were a bit better – everything was black, white, gray, grayish purple or BRIGHT ORANGE.

I saw that you are looking for some good sweat wicking workout gear for hot yoga, so I thought I would help you out! I’m a big hot yoga fan myself! I also work for lululemon… here are some tops that I would recommend…

Push Your Limits Tank – It’s so comfortable! It’s made out of luxtreme, which is lululemon’s most wicking fabric and also very breathable. Luxtreme is actually the fabric used in the RUN line b/c it’s so moisture wicking, so it’s also great for hot and sweaty yoga!

Full Eagle Tank – This tank just came out a couple of weeks ago, and it’s also made out of luxtreme. I wore it to class the other night, and loved it!

Tanks made out of luon are also moisture wicking and work great too. The luxtreme fabric will just be more wicking. The Power Y and Scoop Neck that you mentioned too are made out of luon, and I love those too! When you look at the tanks online, the description will tell you what fabric was used to make the tank.

That chickpea salad indeed looks good. I love things that are simple and good for the tastebuds!
I’m having problems too finding good sportswear, so I’m glad with the tips you received and posted ;) Thank you!

PS : Please help me choose from the cooking books listed on The Veggie Eco-Life

I like to wear Nike or UnderArmour sweat wicking tanks/tops generally, and I have heard the best things about the Lululemon tanks, but they are hard to find over here (UK) and I the shipping cost from US/CAN is pretty steep, so I don’t actually own any of theirs. What I really love, because it is natural fibres, is bamboo clothing. I have some plain tanks/tops and bamboo clothing just feels so nice on the skin, is sweat wicking, naturally antibacterial and I would imagine more environmentally sound than synthetic fibres.

Wow, this salads has one of my favorite flavors. I agree that the best way to eat cilantro is coupled with lime and cumin. I was wondering if you thought it would still be good without spinach? still having veggie issues with my tummy:(

I got to my first yoga class last week (thanks to all your yoga talk) and I loved it. I really want to try hot yoga, I just need to gain the courage:)

Please let us know if you try these tanks and they work! I could definitely benefit from sweat-wicking tops! After a good run, I am SO SschWETty!! Part of me is totally ok with this bc it is a sign of a GREAT workout!!! I kind of take it as a compliment!! :)

Love cilantro in summer recipes :) Your salad looks fantastic! As for work-out gear, I love Under Armor’s heat gear. Living in Phoenix, I seriously need it and have become addicted to working out in it during the hot summer months.

That salad looks amazing! I’m def making it tonight, but thinking of sub’ing kale for spinach? Hopefully it turns out ok :S
I’m also addicted to hot yoga, and Moksha is my go-to place for it (before agreeing to move for work I actually checked to see if there was a Moksha studio in town…yup, I’m hooked). Adidas clima-cool shirts and UnderArmour tnp tanks are the best for my practice I found.

I’m gonna try some of these out too! Right now I am on the lookout for a sports bra that breathes well…I feel like my cheap little sports bras aren’t supporting me right and are making me break out with holding all the sweat in. Sorry if that’s TMI but I know others have dealt with this issue! :)

I am a forty-something reader and love your blog. I am a full-time mom of five. Just wanted you to know that I made your roasted potato and asparagus salad tonight for dinner. All five of my kids (ages 17 to 6) loved your salad!!! That is a rare thing when all five give something a thumbs up! Maybe I will try one of quinoa salads next!! lol

Hi Angela,
So I am new to your website and I am loving it. My friend was telling me about it and im loving your deserts. I just made your chocolate cupcakes last night. Anyway I was reading your post about tank tops and I love doing zumba and I sweat like crazy to. I have loved the Danskin line at walmart. I don’t feel like a sponge when I am done. they are inexpensive and I love them also because they have a place to put your ipod if you want to go running or what not. Thanks for all your great recipes. Can’t wait to try some more.

i go to a moksha yoga studio too. as an earlier commenter said, the perspiration-drenched clothes is part of the practice. yes, it is uncomfortable (and makes me wonder where all that liquid came from and how i am not dehydrated). anyway, another option for hot yoga outfit is joe fresh which you can find at loblaw’s or the real canadian superstore.

made this with some cooked northern beans i had tonight and it was amazing! served with a veggie burger and strawberries for dessert – perfect summer meal. thank you for passing along all of your wisdom to us!

This LOOKS delisious but I’m one of the people who hate hate hate cilantro (corriander). But I love citrus flavoured dressings so I’m thinking adding basil or parsley (as you mentionned) instead of the evil cilantro. It’s definetly a great way to get more spinach into my diet. I might try it tonight and see how it turns out :)

This recipe is amazing and so easy to do!! I’ve made it several times and have given the recipe to several friends. The combination of the cilantro, garbanzo beans, spinach and cumin is wonderful. I’ve been making it with red onion lately and usually serve it over brown rice…YUM!! Thank you so much!

Hi !
I have been looking all over the internet today to find a recipe to use up all my cilantro,
I came across this recipe of yours, and I found it again on another website!
I don’t know if you allowed them to use it or what, but they didn’t credit you, so I just wanted to let you know it’s on there, because I would want to know if someone else was sharing my recipes.